Agenda - 09-05-2024; 8-l - Major Subdivision Preliminary Plat Application

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33 ORANGE COUNTY Department of Environment, Agriculture,Parks&Recreation MEMORANDUM To: Taylor Perschau, Current Planning Supervisor,Planning and Inspections Department From: Christian Himi,Land Conservation Manager Date: January 30,2024 Re: Stonewall Subdivision-Regulated Major Subdivision Application Thank you for the opportunity to review and comment on the proposed Regulated Major Subdivision upon land listed under Grayrose Properties LLC. The development would create 18 single-family lots and associated open space on approximately 36 acres located on the east side of Miller Road,north of the intersection with Orange High School Road The subject property is one parcel(PIN 9875-64-5097)and is within the Lower Eno River Watershed. The property's northern bounds contain approximately 1,500 linear feet of Strouds Creek and a small tributary entering from the north for an additional 200 feet. Strouds Creek is a direct tributary to the Eno River,meeting its confluence just over 1.3 miles downstream. DEAPR comments on subdivisions are generally intended to a)address any concerns with respect to potential impacts on important natural or cultural resources,and b)identify any areas that might be desirable for possible dedication to the County for public recreation/open space pursuant to Section 7.11.5 of the Unified Development Ordinance. Natural Resources Review Comments: The plan calls for setting aside approximately 15.99 acres of Open Space(-44 percent)primarily around riparian buffers of Strouds Creek and its tributaries, and the floodplains as delineated within the site plan. The area on the property containing the Strouds Creek,its tributaries,the floodplains, and a one-acre portion of the forested area around the tributary through the northern portion of the property, approximately acres in size,is recognized in the 2030 Orange County Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map as a"Resource Protection Area". These areas were determined to be of conservation value considering several factors, including but not limited to the existence of floodplains,wetlands, bottomland hardwood forests, and soils of statewide importance. Cross-referencing the State Natural Heritage Program dataset of the Biodiversity and Wildlife Corridor Assessment confirms Strouds Creek(and its forested corridor approximately 200-300 feet from centerline),to be of highest conservation value(Score 10/10). This section of the Strouds Creek is listed within the State Inventory of Natural Areas for Eno River Aquatic Habitat and is confirmed by the Natural Heritage Program to be primary habitat for(and contain occurrences of)two species of highly sensitive freshwater bivalves(mussels), including the listed state threatened Notched Rainbow Villosa constricta, and state threatened Creeper Strophitus undulatus. As such,this area would be the desired addition to any potential extension of the proposed open space on the tract.Any such use of this area should be limited to allowing it to remain in its natural and wooded state, and the recommendation would be to provide only low impact recreational uses in the designated open space. All other uses or potential improvements associated with the development of the tract should be located outside of this area.